Saturday, August 18, 2012

From the Parents of Emily Cain

What a Gift

When our daughter, Emily Cain, told us about her
interest in applying to the Ivy League Connection, we were in full
support.We knew very little about
the program but what we had heard was impressive. She worked diligently on her
essays and got herself ready for the interview. When Emily told us that she had
been accepted to the Women & Leadership Program at Brown University, we
were thrilled at the unique opportunity that we knew awaited her.

The weeks prior to the trip gave us further insights
into the program and the hard working individuals that make this program so
special.The informal potluck at
ECHS was a great way to meet the other girls going on the trip and the
wonderful chaperones. Chaperones, Sewellyn Kaplan, Jackie Timmes and Kat
Williams really put everyone at ease with their relaxed presentation and open
demeanors. The lovely dinner at Boulevard was a great opportunity to meet and
speak with Brown alumni, a few of the sponsors and Charles Ramsey. Attending
the School Board meeting and standing for the photo with all the selected students,
program leaders and sponsors was an honor.

Before we knew it Emily was driving off in a shuttle
at 3:30 AM, with her cohort, heading for the airport. This was the first time
that Emily would be away from our family for three weeks; she was totally ready
and excited for the days ahead. In the days and weeks that followed we
cherished the blogs. The blogs served not only as a terrific skill for the
participants but they provided us as parents with a window into the program and
the experiences of the participants. Emily was so busy that we rarely spoke on
the phone and her text’s mostly read:“We are soooo busy. I am having a fantastic time…” The Blogs provided
the details.

The Ivy League Connection is truly a unique and
fabulous opportunity for students of WCCUSD. We would like to extend a special thank
you to Charles Ramsey, Madeline Kronenberg, and Don Gosney for their tireless
efforts and to the sponsors for making it all possible.

About Us

The goal of The Ivy League Connection is to expand the college going culture in the West Contra Costa Unified School District by providing the students of the WCCUSD with the opportunity to participate in summer enrichment programs hosted by highly selective universities.

This effort emphasizes students’ readiness and highlights that teachers have and will continue to produce outstanding students ready to participate in the rigorous programs offered each summer by the Ivy League.

Upon their return from these programs, our students are encouraged to become campus leaders and promote increased awareness of academic opportunities. By becoming campus leaders, they will also instill the value of giving service and encourage the local community to become stronger partners with our schools.

The Ivy League Connection is all about giving back.

The WCCUSD is a diverse, urban school district which has managed to survive through incredible financial adversity (including bankruptcy) for the past two decades. Despite a myriad of obstacles, students have persevered and been resilient in staying focused and not making excuses relating to student achievement. Nonetheless, a great majority of students have not had exposure to the thousands of colleges that exist. The Ivy League Connection is a metaphor for establishing that connection and opening gateways to ensure that more students are conscious about becoming part of a college-going culture.

This endeavor creates an institution with an innovative approach and provides a model for school board members to utilize regarding how to deploy District resources to underwrite student participation in summer enrichment and leadership programs on college campuses. The goal is to significantly boost scholarship in our District by introducing the concept and awareness that outstanding students of talent and high potential will benefit from participating in stimulating summer enrichment programs and that others will also profit when they share their experiences with them upon their return.